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      Peanuts

      Peanut intolerance may stem from their unique proteins, lectins, or histamine-liberating properties. Avoid peanuts for 8 weeks, use supplements like digestive enzymes and probiotics, and retest for improvement.

      🥜 What are Peanuts?

      Peanuts are legumes, not true nuts, commonly consumed as a snack, in peanut butter, or as an ingredient in baked goods and sauces. They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and nutrients like niacin, magnesium, and vitamin E.

      🤔 Why Do I Have an Intolerance to Peanuts and Their Components?

      You may experience intolerance to peanuts due to the following components:

      Proteins:

      • Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 3: Storage proteins in peanuts that are common triggers of sensitivity.
      • Profilins: Proteins that may cross-react with pollen allergens, causing symptoms.

      Fats:

      • Peanuts are high in polyunsaturated fats, which can be harder to digest for some individuals.

      Lectins:

      • Peanuts contain lectins, natural compounds that may irritate sensitive digestive systems.

      Histamines:

      • Peanuts can act as histamine liberators, which may trigger symptoms in histamine-sensitive individuals.

      🛠️ What Can I Do About It?

      • Eliminate peanuts and peanut-based products for 8 weeks to allow your system to recover.
      • Retest your sensitivity after 8 weeks to evaluate improvement.
      • Use substitutes like almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini in recipes.

      💊 Which Supplements Can Help?

      To manage peanut intolerance and promote gut health, consider the following:

      Digestive Enzymes:

      • Help break down peanut-specific proteins like Ara h 1, reducing symptoms.

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      Probiotics:

      • Balance gut bacteria to improve digestion and increase tolerance to legumes over time.

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      Anti-inflammatory Supplements:

      • Curcumin: Reduces inflammation caused by food sensitivities.

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      • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Alleviate inflammatory responses and promote gut health.

      Histamine Blockers:

      • DAO (Diamine Oxidase): Mitigates histamine-related reactions if peanuts act as histamine liberators.

      🌟 Why Might I Have an Intolerance to Peanuts but Not Other Nuts?

      If you tolerate true nuts like almonds or cashews but react to peanuts, here’s why:

      Legume vs. Nut:

      • Peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts, and contain different proteins like Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, which may trigger sensitivity.
      • True nuts like almonds and cashews have distinct protein structures that are less reactive for some individuals.

      Lectins:

      • Peanuts contain lectins, which are more common in legumes and can irritate the gut, unlike tree nuts.

      Histamine Liberation:

      • Peanuts may act as histamine liberators, while most tree nuts do not provoke this response.

      Fat Content:

      • Peanuts are high in polyunsaturated fats, which might be harder to digest compared to the monounsaturated fats found in almonds or cashews.

      🍽️ Popular Dishes Containing Peanuts

      • Peanut butter
      • Peanut satay sauce
      • Peanut brittle
      • Pad Thai with peanuts

      🍽️ Alternatives (if tolerated)

      • Almond butter
      • Sunflower seed butter
      • Cashew butter
      • Tahini